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space.com
A FACILITY FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
In acknowledging Joburg Theatre’s role as a City of Joburg Municipal Entity within the city’s Community Development Sector, Bernard Jay, the theatre’s Chief Executive Officer, has dedicated a facility within the theatre complex for the achievement of community development goals.
space.com has been functioning since November 2008 in an independent facility located off the marble foyer of the Joburg Theatre complex. This facility was previously known as the Pieter Roos Theatre and then The Actors Centre.
space.com is operated by Joburg Theatre for the primary purposes of being:
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An adaptable space from which the theatre can encourage development of both a love of theatregoing and the skills of the theatre industry amongst the many communities living and working in Joburg. Priority focus in this regard is given to youth from historically disadvantaged communities. Close involvement with the many community theatre projects active in the townships of Joburg is encouraged.
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A non-commercial training ground for would-be and starting-to-be stand-up comedy artists to gain individual audience development experience within a “no-pressure” environment. Again, focus is given to members of historically disadvantaged communities. Joburg Theatre provides no-cost opportunities to the comedians to develop their acts and - hopefully - embark on a career path of entertaining.
The initial development and operating costs of space.com are being funded by Joburg Theatre. All departments of the theatre are involved with the operation and skills transference goals of space.com.
25-year-old Jabu (Jae) Xolani Gwebu, previously Assistant Production Manager at the Division of Arts and Culture of the University of Johannesburg Doornfontein Campus, is the theatre’s Community Development Co-ordinator, creating and overseeing all activities at space.com.
This exciting area of the theatre complex is intended as a vibrant, youth-orientated, welcoming and all-embracing facility to be used and enjoyed by the citizens of Joburg.
It is also hoped that the implementation of space.com will assist - in the long-term - in building the essential audience of the future for Joburg Theatre.
To contact Jae Gwebu about space.com, call (011) 877 6906 or write to him at space.com@showbusiness.co.za.
FUTURE PROJECTS AT space.com
Space.com has an exciting line-up planned for 2010. Amongst the highlights are the following:
Soccer Legends Diaries
The Joburg Theatre’s space.com, in association with South African Soccer Legends, is proud to present Soccer Legends Diaries. This initiative will bring the history of South African Soccer Legends to the public through an exhibition entitled Soccer Legends Personal Memory Box and a live presentation of dance and music The Fathers of Soccer comprised of 8 decades ranging 1930 to 2009. The exhibition will be open from 16th June 2010.
Women Directors Voices Festival
To afford a platform to young female directors who initiate their own projects, have energy, commitment and enjoy pushing boundaries. This is a development programme featuring four productions by first-time female directors and three productions by established South African female directors. Performances run August 17th to 25th 2010.
Youth Movement Workshops
A selection of young choreographers and teachers from selected institutions will be presenting movement workshops to community groups. Dates: September 1st – 4th 2010.
In collaboration with Joburg Arts Alive 2010, and The University of Johannesburg, space.com presents The Cenestra Male Choir featuring The UJ Choir.
The South African Soccer Legends Cenestra Male Choir, (ranked 18th in the world top 50 choirs) and space.com present a three day concert featuring The UJ Choir, poets and two weeks of music workshops open to the public. Performances run 24th – 26th September 2010.
space.com Joburg Comedy Festival
The successful space.com Joburg Comedy Festival will open its doors once again for all comedians and comedy lovers as they take part in the weeklong festival, featuring some well known faces as well as some new comers.
Performances 26th – 31th October 2010.
space.com playwright workshops.
In preparation for 2011 talent search, six script writers will be chosen to part of a month long script writing workshop. They will be given the opportunity to develop their work further with assistant from professional writers within the industry. The scriptwriters will also get the opportunity to test the direction of their work using actors to stage short scenes so as to eliminate potential flaws. These six will automatically be the finalists for the 2011 talent search with the choice of directing their own work or selecting a director to work with. The workshop will run from November 4th to 30th 2010.
For more information please contact Jabu Gwebu on 011-877-6906 or space.com@showbusiness.co.za
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